What is metaphysics, and why should we bother studying it? What benefits
does it have for humanity? What is its purpose? How will its teachings help
advance society? How will it assist our civilization and culture to progress?
How will our lives be re-created individually and collectively with the
application of metaphysical principles? Questions abound concerning metaphysics,
for people intuitively feel that it may have something precious to offer
in terms of facilitating personal growth and self-empowerment. Among those
spiritually inclined, it has become a "prime directive" to understanding
their lives in terms of metaphysical principles and concepts such as
multi-dimensional realities, the Higher Self, love, karma, reincarnation,
etheric energies, psychicism, oneness with all, cosmic beings, the ascension,
etc., and some of the causes of this higher thinking and awareness is the
thinning of the cosmic veil between dimensions; the increased contact with
invisible forces; the influence of intense electromagnetic cosmic energies
bombarding upon our planet and solar system at this time; the influx of higher
spiritual beings incarnating in the physical realm; the discoveries of many
ancient secrets left hidden in monumental structures and time capsules;
scientific developments in hyper-space technologies, and shifts in its paradigms,
etc. All of these are occurring on a global scale, in every nation of this
planet, and it is affecting every human being. So it would seem that humanity
is awakening from its long sleep of forgetfulness and ignorance. The Tree
of Life of immortality, enlightenment, and illumination will be found hidden
in the seeds of the Tree of metaphysical knowledge--using the word "metaphysics"
in its most spiritual, gnostic sense.

For thousands of years we have sought for truth, and most of the time from
the wrong persons and in the wrong places--what we received were man-made
opinions and beliefs which were forced upon our minds to be accepted as the
"word of God," or the way that Nature had decreed, and that there is nothing
that anyone can do to change it. While in our infancy, physically and spiritually
speaking, we accepted everything told to us by organized religion, elders,
and pedagogues as gospel and truth and we based our philosophy of life on
the indoctrination imposed upon us and which subsequently formed our false
sense of "conscience," and a poor understanding of spiritual values. This
caused us great soulful sufferings and torment in succeeding years in our
everyday life--an intense sense of shame, guilt, fear, and sin whenever we
"violated" any so-called law of God formulated by theology; and it never
occurred to us to question the systems, the mechanisms, and their origins
that brought about our morbid condition. This naturally lowered our self-esteem.
Conscience is not similar to the concept of the "still, small voice." The
latter is the silent voice of the Spirit, whereas conscience in part, is
simply the engrams or programs imprinted upon the subconscious mind. Conscience
is also partially our memory of the negative consequences of our past actions
impinging upon our conscious mind whenever we are about to act in a negative
way resembling that of the past.

But to return from our digression: in past centuries we were told lies by
false prophets and the ministers of religions that mediators between God
and men were necessary; that theirs was the only way to God; that their race
or sect were the chosen one of God; that everything that God would reveal
to humanity lies in a single book; that God punishes us for sinning and perhaps
in the afterlife casts us into hell; that illness, old-age, and death were
a natural part of life; that one no longer receives any new revelation from
God, etc. We were told to fear God, to see everything as separated from us,
to believe that we were born in sin, that the sexual act is shameful, that
we were simply mortals subjected to the whims of God for the determination
of our fate, that we were inherently bad--and even more--that the world was
flat! While at the same time heinous crimes against the Holy Human Spirit
were being committed by those very same representatives of religions such
as the crimes of persecution, torture, and murder of innocent human beings
who simply were more spiritually and psychically inclined or conceived the
universe from a different viewpoint--and all these atrocious acts were
carried-out in the name of Religion, Love and God. The Crusades and the
Inquisition are dark chapters in the history of man.

One of the points that we wish to put forth here is that since time began
the dark, retrogressive forces have infiltrated or have tried infiltrating
every institution that have sought to improve the condition of the soul,
and the expression of the human spirit in our mundane lives. They have always
opposed and attacked the true representatives of God and steered seekers
of truth away from them. Their purpose is to stall human evolution and
progression indefinitely, that human beings cringe and cower under their
manipulative control, that humans be made into slaves and automatons answering
to their every whim. They work openly and subtly, physically and psychically.
They make us believe that we need them--their services and wares--and we
are psychologically controlled to be dependent upon them and return to them
again and again for their assistance--usually for a large fee or with some
loss on our part. We will not be too specific here, we simply caution our
readers to "be wary, be very, very wary!" Treading the spiritual metaphysical
path will assist one to be more discerning as to the understanding of what
is True and what is false, what is Real and what is illusory.

Generally speaking, a portion of humanity is now more experienced in the
ways of men and the world than in bygone days, and they seek for that which
will release them from all their mortal limitations and errors, from that
Gorgon we call "the human ego," from concepts that bind one to personal illusions
and glamour, and from that state of human mortality. Many of us are beginning
to realize the existence of different dimensions and multifold realities.
We seek ways for improving the human condition, for perfecting human expression,
and the generation of a new type of Homo sapiens whose intelligence and heart
matches those of the immortal gods.

Human beings are basically seekers. Some of us thirst for that which we know
not what. The "curiosity instinct" impels every one of us to learn everything
we can of our environment, of ourselves, of the universe, of Nature, and
of God. What fascinates and intrigues us most are the phenomena caused by
forces and powers that transcends the perceptual capacity of the physical
senses and the apprehension of the human mind. Humanity is intensely interested
in the Intelligence that shapes human destiny--whether this "Intelligence"
be considered as a being, a force, a Universal Mind, an omnipresent energy,
or a collective consciousness. People are seeking explanations to their
"inexplicable" experiences in the field of psychicism and the paranormal.
Such occurrences as coincidences or "synchronicity" also baffles the mind
as it begs for enlightenment. Those of elderly years wonder what lies for
them in the "after-life," as the youthful ones wonder of their place in this
world. A questioning being is a thinking being and it denotes, whether
consciously realized or not, as a desire to seek, to know, and to be aware
of Truth. The curiosity instinct mentioned above could well be the primitive
stirrings of the divine will of the highest aspect of Man seeking to be aware
of Its essential nature. The teachings of the Ageless Wisdom as taught in
metaphysical, esoteric, occult and arcane schools are filled with principles
that would help us understand ourselves and our omniverse.

Humanity as a whole, is jaded and sickened by the constant wars and conflicts;
with the materialistic and hedonistic life that do not offer any permanent
peace and happiness or solutions to the various problems facing us as we
approach a new millenium with its tremendous supernal and mundane challenges.
Many seek for a more profound meaning in life, for they see through their
mundane activities as a brittle illusory facade presenting itself as reality.
We often ask "why am I here?" "why do I exist?" "where will I go from here?"
Our present systems of religion, philosophy, and science offer no real solution,
consolation, solace or comfort to our hearts and soul-search, instead they
tend to mislead, confine, and circumscribe the soul and mind to a certain
area of life; to a limited way of living and thinking; to a sense of separatism;
to a dualistic judgmental attitude; to a sense of fear and helplessness;
and to a state of external dependency--it especially confines man to a mortal
sense of existence--and we say this not from a sense of judgment but from
an observational standpoint.

Conversely, metaphysics as a repository of "New-Age" concepts, the Ageless
Wisdom, divine energies, power-centers, and angelic and cosmic support, seek
to liberate us from self-imposed limitations as it offers answers to questions
that troubles the human soul. The soul loves freedom for freedom is ingrained
in the soul. God gave man the liberty to choose, and this privilege should
not be taken away from man by any being for it is a violation of the natural
order of things.

Freedom may be considered as an instinct for it is to be found in animals
as well. No creature enjoys being confined in a cage. Every creature love
to be free and to express the genetic joy programmed in its DNA. Nature has
granted all creatures their freedom of expression but some of us would impose
our will upon Divine Will by creating cages of man-made laws and regulations
that do not reflect the laws of Heaven. Man-made laws may easily be manipulated
by the unscrupulous for their own heinous purposes. Crimes may be committed
that are "lawful," that goes undisciplined in our courts of judgment. In
the laws of our society, the innocents are often made to pay for the crimes
of another. Where is the love (religion), and rationality (science), and
justice (philosophy) in that?

We are writing intuitively here and our statements may be interpreted and
applied in various ways. In fact, statements in our literary works may seem
to lack any logical structure or sequence. They may appear to be non sequitur.
Logic may appeal to the thinking mind, however it is more than conceptual
reasoning that we have to develop. There are higher faculties of the soul
that should be cultivated and made used of, such as intuition. The cliché
"reading between the lines" may seem irrational to the scientific type and
yet it is this particular mode of perception that has to be practiced as
a spiritual stimulus to the Soul.

There are many scholarly definitions of metaphysics and they are all valid;
however, for our purpose, without explaining metaphysics in an overly-academic
way, let us say that metaphysics in its more modern connotation, deals with
cosmic laws and principles, with unseen forces and powers influencing ourselves
and the circumstances and conditions of our daily lives, and how we may take
advantage of those laws and principles by re-directing them so as to improve
our holistic lives for the better. Metaphysics teaches us how to harness
and apply the cosmic power lying latent within us. In its most profound spiritual
aspect metaphysics teaches us the nature of Reality and how we and Nature
relate to it. Metaphysics instructs us how to harmonize ourselves with the
Divine Plan of God, and it reveals the true purpose of life. Metaphysics,
therefore, has a dual function: it helps us to improve our lives secularly
now in this physical dimension, and it also prepares us for a glorious life
in the higher cosmic realms. Actually, as seen from a spiritual perspective,
life has no divisions: life is one, as it is continuous. There is no death
only a constant change.

The application of certain metaphysical principles assists the acceleration
of one's evolution and the quantum leap to a higher level of intelligence
and spiritual awareness. We emphasize the word "application," for knowledge
of principles or techniques alone is of no value. Knowledge of itself is
not power, it is the application of knowledge that empowers one. Spiritually,
it is not what we know or the psychic powers that we possess that counts,
it is what we are. We know many people possessing a little knowledge or power
feel themselves highly superior to their fellow men. This is arrogance and
carries the seeds of peril. The saying that "a little knowledge is a dangerous
thing" is literally and evidently true; we can well understand how insufficient
knowledge and a disregard for life may result in catastrophes. It was the
cause of destruction of previous high-tech civilizations, historically
unrecorded, as it is the cause of our present social, political, and ecological
unrest.

To understand the above concept of incomplete knowledge, consider for instance
the knowledge that we have to construct nuclear weapons--how much do we really
know of the impact that it will have upon us and the universe should we choose
to detonate one? We may presently believe that the effects of a nuclear blast
be localized causing the exploded area to be radioactive for centuries to
come. This is an obvious effect, but what about the not-so-obvious rippling,
chain-reaction that it would cause in the physical and not-physical universes
to the very end of our galaxy?

Basically, arrogance is an inferior attitude masking as superiority. Inferiority
or superiority complexes are both egoic expressions. The human ego often
wishes the Self to appear what it is not. Even if we knew a lot, if we have
read a thousand books, studied under countless Gurus, have permanent contact
with a Cosmic Master, experienced a 1001 delights and terrors, meditate
constantly, possess the world, or are powerful in some psychic way, it still
does not give us a reason to egoically compare others with ourselves, or
to judge them--by seeing others as inferior to us, by labelling them as bad,
low, and vile. Many so-called spiritual teachers still do this. They criticize
and condemn others without realizing that, spiritually speaking, there is
no separation between others and themselves. What we see in others also lies
below the conscious threshold within ourselves; what we do to others, we
also do to ourselves, what we think of others, we also think of ourselves.
What another is doing in the present we may well have done so ourselves in
the past or perhaps will do so in the future. There is no need for judgment
but a lot of need of mercy, understanding, and tolerance. Essentially, a
spiritual being will not indulge in the judgment of dualistic concepts and
the relativistic opposites such as good and bad, right and wrong, rich and
poor, strong and weak, etc. These things are reconciled or transcended by
the mage. St. Paul once said that if we owned the world and all powers and
gifts of the spirit but lack love we were nothing. This is felt by all true
spiritual teachers and practitioners.

Metaphysics should not be confused with the paranormal nor with parapsychology.
The paranormal and parapsychology are simply aspects of metaphysics--using
the term in its broadest sense..

In regards to metaphysical experiences we should keep in mind that metaphysics
encompasses the two basic divisions of psychicism and mysticism, thaumaturgy
and theurgy. Experiences in both fields may be considered "metaphysical,"
however, a psychic experience is dissimilar to a mystical one, and vice versa.
One relates to the perception of events occurring in the lower planes or
dimensions, the other to spiritual Self-awareness and the expansion of the
consciousness encompassing the Whole.

As can be understood from the above, metaphysics has a transcendent value.
It caters to both the physical and spiritual aspects of man. Metaphysics
begins where traditional psychology leaves off, it goes where dogmatic religion
is afraid to go, it extents further than mainstream science is able to reach
with its laboratory equipment--although we must admit that many technological
advances have been made in this direction, most of which have not yet been
made available to the general public for reasons of censure. The release
of such technology would dethrone the powers that seek to enslave the world
and the Dark forces are trying very hard to prevent humanity from being
empowered.

One of the misconceptions regarding metaphysics is that it is unscientific
and based upon superstitious ideas. This is not in our experience. Metaphysics
is scientific, rational, empirical and pragmatic, or it could indeed well
be "superstitious" depending on one's attitude, beliefs, and manner of approach,
or how one would like it to be. This might seem as a paradox and yet it may
be reconciled. We liberate our minds or impose limitations upon it by our
beliefs and attitudes, and by those limitations we circumscribe our mental
and spiritual growth. Our beliefs and attitudes form our basic interpretation
of Reality. If a thing is of value, because of prejudice we will not see
it. We will see what we want to see, and refuse to see what we refuse to
see.

Metaphysics may be approached in various ways. If one has a background in
mathematics, one's approach would be mathematical. If one has a psychological
background one would naturally approach it from a psychological standpoint.
And if one simply believes or disbelieves in metaphysical principles then
the result would be in accordance to that mental condition. For instance,
if we disbelieve that man may go to the moon we would not exert effort to
putting him there. If we believe that we are doomed to failure we would never
motivate ourselves to work for success. This concept relates to how we form
our own personal experiences in life, our own personal reality. Intrinsically,
however, personal opinions do not affect the natural laws operating in our
universe. We may discount the reality of gravity, for instance, and yet the
law still functions in our everyday experience. The same goes with the other
natural laws like karma and reincarnation. Belief or disbelief in them will
not affect their existence and operation. Just because these laws are not
mentioned by prophets and written about in Holy Scriptures do not nullify
their activity. Come to think of it, many scientific natural laws are not
mentioned in Holy Writ, does this prove their non-existence?

Though certain aspects of metaphysics may be considered to be speculative,
as it deals with the Ultimate Reality, the First Cause, creation, and ontology
or the nature of being--what interests us is the application of its principles
and direction of Cosmic laws in everyday life. The worth of a science lies
in its value, relevancy, and applicability in everyday living. If it is
inefficient in aiding humanity to create abundance, peace, health, etc.,
then it is impractical and worthless. Some people have this kind of misconception
concerning metaphysics, they believe that metaphysics is impractical, too
abstract, or that it violates natural law and hence, religion; however, the
opposite is true. Metaphysics and its principles work in harmony with Cosmic
laws and is extremely practical. Applied Metaphysics, as differentiated from
Speculative Metaphysics, is wholly practical and essential to daily life.
It empowers us with the tools and knowledge necessary to achieve a successful
and fulfilled life.

Though the art and science of metaphysics is still in its infancy compared
to what lies ahead, there is enough teachings, techniques and systems to
assist us live a fruitful, productive and creative life in accord with the
Divine Will. The more we know and understand, the more wisdom we possess,
the more motivated, focused and confident we are--the more chances we have
of fulfilling our mission in life.

There is an on-going electromagnetic regeneration occurring in our solar
system in our present "time-period." The present interaction and interfacing
of energy fields in the part of our galaxy that our solar system is entering
are causing the transformation of worlds and all beings connected to them
in an evolutionary manner. Electromagnetic energies radiating from power
centers in multi-dimensional universes are affecting and transforming everything
in its path or field of influence. These energies induce and impel all beings
to rise in their awareness level. They stimulate Man and Nature to form a
new relationship based on trust and healthy cooperation. St Francis of Assisi
was a pioneer and a model for us in this regard. This friar considered all
beings--trees and animals, included--as his brothers and sisters.

The transformations that are currently occurring politically and socially
in the world are just a few of the physical effects of the cosmic bombardment
of these energy rays. Changes will occur at every level lifting humanity
to a new state of being, to a higher level of divine expression. The
transmutational process currently operating is represented by the Water
Bearer-the sign of Aquarius, and the Aquarian Age. The water flowing from
the vessel represents the energies flowing from the Mental, Buddhic and Atmic
realms. These are just some of the higher dimensions operating above the
personality level. Collectively, these three dimensions are represented by
the pail held by the Water Bearer from whence these energies flow, and the
Water Bearer as the Higher Christ Self within each individual.

The New Age or the Aquarian Age can be interpreted as the "second-coming"
of Christ, for His sign (Aquarius) shall appear or is appearing in the sky
in an astronomical sense; he "appears" in the clouds or energies of the New
Age, and every eye shall "see" him--that is, feel his influence.

How can we appreciate the value of metaphysics? It takes careful study and
analysis with a non-prejudicial mind before a true evaluation can be made
of any science or thing. Metaphysics is of no exception. The problem is that
too many people have preconceived the nature of metaphysics without having
investigated the matter. Some consider it as the science of Lucifer or other
such nonsense. All knowledge is essentially neutral in nature. Nothing is
good or bad in itself. We attribute a thing as good or bad, right or wrong
from the standpoint of our own moral standards or preference and this is
constantly changing in consonance with the level of our spiritual awareness.

Metaphysical teachings help us in various ways. It teaches us the existence
of the many Cosmic laws operating in the universe and how these laws function
in the world of beings. If understanding just a simple Cosmic law like karma
helps one to correct misconceptions and alleviate our struggles, and relieve
certain psychological pain, can you imagine how the awareness and understanding
of a dozen Cosmic laws would help improve the quality and value of one's
life? It should be realized that if a person were to cry out in pain to God
for an explanation to all of her problems and excruciating experiences, and
that if she were confused and at a loss of knowing how to react or respond
to certain situations, then it should be known that there are possible errors
in that person's philosophy of life, in that person's understanding of the
functions and laws of the universe, and the purpose of life, or of the person's
personal mission. Since one's philosophy of life is associated with one's
cultural and religious beliefs, then those beliefs should be looked into
for possible false notions and dogmatic errors that do not reflect the workings
of Nature.

True religion brings joy, bliss, understanding and wisdom to the heart, and
is scientifically inclined. If it does not do so, and if it simply causes
one to believe a thing without offering personal determination of its truth
through experience, knowledge and understanding then it may be seen as a
diversion from the true spiritual path. We state emphatically here that to
be religious is not synonymous to being spiritual. A spiritual person may
be religious, but a religious person is not always spiritual. A spiritual
person knows whereas a religious person simply possesses faith, which at
times may be expressed blindly in the condition called fanaticism.

In metaphysics we develop power, intelligence and wisdom. Wisdom is a blend
of knowledge, understanding, and experience directed by the buddhic principle
of love--unconditional love. It is thinking with the heart and feeling with
the mind. This distinguishes the higher metaphysical development of spirituality
from the lower metaphysical unfoldment of psychicism. In a lower metaphysical
development we may solely possess psychic ability or power but no wisdom
and understanding to use it. We unfold in an unbalanced way. When power exceeds
the wisdom to apply it, the seeds of self-destruction is inherent and might
be the probable outcome. Advanced metaphysicians have all three aspects of
divinity in full development or unfolding in a balanced and harmonious way,
these three are: the aspects of love/wisdom, power/will, and
intelligence/activity.

The more Cosmic laws and truths we apprehend with our souls and apply in
our every day lives, the more spiritual, divine, and powerful we become.
The more we purify ourselves from all the dross and toxins in our
energy-structures, and the more we liberate ourselves from preconceived human
mortal limitations, the more we are able to access divine energies and express
our divinity, or our divine attributes. We are able to manifest our Christ
Self. The term "Christ Self" should be understood as a component within the
microcosm, or Man--both visible and invisible, and as the True Self functioning
at a certain consciousness level beyond personality functions and expressions.
In metaphysics Christ is not conceived as a historical person but rather
understood from a mystical and mythical standpoint. Christ is often apprehended
as a state of awareness of man functioning at a spiritual level. This is
real power: the power derived from one's own spiritual knowing, awareness
and being. Most of the so-called powers claimed by some psychics are borrowed
from disembodied entities and are basically illusory and impermanent. Such
temporal and borrowed powers in the end may seek to control and obsess the
person using them. This is one reason that one should be aware of the dangers
in psychicism before embarking upon its development. It is always safer to
first develop true spirituality and the taming of the false ego. The injunction
is to first seek the kingdom of God that all things shall be added unto us.

In metaphysics we come to learn of many teachings of Cosmic laws and principles
that aid us to deal with life, to master our lower self and express all that
is divine in us. This is true mastery. The word Master does not mean being
able to control Nature or others, it is the ability to effectively work in
cooperation with Her and with our fellow man in creating harmony, peace,
and abundance in our world, in our shared reality, in our conjoined dream.
Real Masters are those who have mastered the animalistic and humanistic elements
of their being and are now expressing their god-hood. Cosmic or Ascended
Masters do not generally consider themselves as Masters for they realize
that they themselves are in a state of learning. Such is their humility.